Apple cider vinegar for skin lightening before and after

Beyond its versatile uses in the kitchen, many people drink apple cider vinegar (ACV) on its own, or diluted with water, to aid digestive health (thanks to good bacteria your gut loves) and even regulate blood sugar (by improving insulin function).

But the benefits of apple cider vinegar inside the body are just the start; it's also used topically for a range of skin, scalp, and hair benefits.

From skin dullness to acne scars and age spots, it's not just another new skincare fad: "Apple cider vinegar has been used as a natural remedy for thousands of years," says Raechele Cochran Gathers, MD, a board certified dermatologist and founder of MDhairmixtress.com. "In fact, it's said that Hippocrates, the father of modern medicine, used ACV to disinfect and treat skin wounds thousands of years ago."

Wondering if you should try using apple cider vinegar for healthier skin? Dr. Gathers breaks down everything you need to know, from ACV's healing properties to common misconceptions and mistakes to watch out for.

Common Uses of Apple Cider Vinegar for Skin

"Many claim ACV can help [alleviate] eczema and acne, fade fine lines, and make skin appear brighter and more youthful," Gathers says. "People use it as a toner for the skin and to help treat acne prone areas."

But Dr. Gathers does caution that, despite the number of people who've fallen in love with it, these claims are purely anecdotal. "There is actually no good scientific study to prove the skin-healing claims of ACV," she says. "Before jumping to ACV, I'd recommend getting evaluated by your dermatologist first."

How Does Apple Cider Vinegar Benefit Skin?

"ACV has antibacterial and antifungal properties and can help kill bacteria and yeast on the skin related to conditions like acne, eczema, and dandruff," Gathers explains. ACV's high acidity level may also help some skin conditions, but its high acidity makes it necessary to dilute with water.

To get a little technical: "Healthy skin lies on the acidic end of the pH spectrum. However, people with eczema can have an elevated skin pH, which can compromise the skin barrier and make it more prone to infections. Since ACV is acidic, it may help restore some of the skin's natural pH," Gathers says.

Beyond treating more troublesome skin conditions, ACV is coveted for more general cosmetic virtues too. "It contains citric acid, an alpha hydroxy acid (or AHA) used to exfoliate, brighten, and smooth [your complexion], as well as polyphenolic antioxidants, which might help improve the skin's appearance," she says.

How to Know If It's Safe to Use on Your Skin

Before you jump right in and add an apple cider vinegar toner or soak to your skin care regimen, know this: ACV is not a cure-all and might not work for everyone. "While it may be helpful for some people's skin issues, it's important to know there haven't been any good studies to support the claims people make about using ACV as a skin treatment." Gathers says. "Always check with your dermatologist first. ACV is acidic, and there are reported cases of people having severe skin irritation and even burns on the skin using it."

How to Use It On Your Skin

If you get the go-ahead from a doctor, here's how to apply apple cider vinegar gently and safely to your skin, according to Dr. Gathers.

Test It First

Always do a spot test first on a discreet area (think: under your jawline) before swiping it onto your entire face.

ACV Facial Toner

To help clear excess oil or relieve acne-prone skin, dilute 1 tablespoon ACV in 2 cups of water. Using a cotton ball or round, swab the mixture gently over your skin, then rinse. "Don't go all in right away," Gathers suggests. "Start by using it two to three days a week to see how you react."

ACV for Eczema

Mix 1 cup ACV into a tub of lukewarm bath water. Soak the affected areas for 15 to 20, minutes then rinse off with cool water. Follow with a gentle, fragrance-free moisturizer.

Apple cider vinegar is an ingredient, which has many health as well as skin benefits.

As summer arrives, it comes with various skin related problems. As heat of the sun becomes very harsh on our skin and results into many skin related issues like sunburn, sun tan, acne, pimples, spots and other skin infections. It becomes very difficult for us to protect our skin from these problems. So here we are with an ingredient that you can easily find in your kitchens, which can do wonders to your skin. Apple cider vinegar is an ingredient, which has many health as well as skin benefits. It is rich in acetic, citric, malic and amino acid and also contains vitamins, enzymes and mineral salts, which is beneficial for your skin.

Here is how you can use apple cider vinegar for flawless skin:

1. Prevents Acne And Pimples

If you are struggling from stubborn acnes and pimples, then keep an apple cider vinegar bottle handy. Due to its antibacterial and antifungal substance, apple cider vinegar helps in keeping your skin pores bacteria, oil and dust free.  How To Use:

• Mix raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar with filtered water in a bowl.
• Soak a cotton ball in the solution and apply it on the affected skin.
• Leave it for 10 minutes and then wash it off with warm water.
• Reapply a few times daily for few days to see the result. 

(Also Read: Amazing Benefits Of Mushrooms For A Healthy Skin)

2. Heals Sunburn

Apple cider vinegar is known to cure sunburns. It helps to soothe the pain and make the healing process fast.

How To Use:

• Mix half a cup apple cider vinegar with 4 cups of water.
• Douse a wash cloth with the solution and apply to sunburned skin.
• Massage it for a while.
• Repeat this several times daily for few days until your condition improves.

3. Soothe And Exfoliate Skin

Apple cider vinegar will soothe your skin and will leave it soft and supple. Its alpha hydroxyl acid removes the dead skin cells and reveals healthy new skin cells.How To Use:

• Pour some apple cider vinegar in a bathtub of warm water.
• Be in there for 15-20 minutes.
• Allow the protective acid to soak into your skin.
• Follow this routine to maintain the pH levels of your skin. 

4. Skin Toner

Apple cider vinegar has astringent properties, which helps in increasing the blood flow to the skin and minimise the pores, a great remedy for the ones with oily skin. It also regulates the pH level of your skin.How To Use:

• Mix apple cider vinegar with filtered water. You may add few drops of essential oil also.
• Apply the solution on your skin using cotton ball.
• Leave it for few minutes, and then rinse it off with cool water.
• You can use it once or twice a day as per your need.

5. Remove Age Spots And Fights Wrinkles

Apple cider vinegar has alpha hydroxyl acids, which helps in removing dead skin and reveals healthy and glowing skin. Not just that, apple cider vinegar also helps in removing the age spots and minimises fine lines and wrinkles.How To Use:

• Dab a little apple cider vinegar on a cotton ball and apply it directly on the age spot and wrinkles.
• Leave it for 30 minutes and then wash it off with cool water.
• Follow this routine twice daily for 6 weeks and you will see the difference.

So, now you know the benefits of apple cider vinegar. Don't wait and include this magical portion to your daily beauty regime.
 

Disclaimer:The opinions expressed within this article are the personal opinions of the author. NDTV is not responsible for the accuracy, completeness, suitability, or validity of any information on this article. All information is provided on an as-is basis. The information, facts or opinions appearing in the article do not reflect the views of NDTV and NDTV does not assume any responsibility or liability for the same.

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